EDITOR’S PICKS

With the United Nations having declared 2015 the “International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies,” the opening of the BMBF’s new “Digital Photonic Production (DPP)” research campus at the end of January was perfectly timed. Located on the RWTH Aachen Campus, the DPP research campus is destined to become well known as the home to a new kind of collaboration between science and industry.

The new breed of radar is a hybrid system that uses quantum correlation between microwave and optical beams to detect objects of low reflectivity such as cancer cells or aircraft with a stealth capability.

A new method developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics Systems and Microtechnology (ISOM) from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) will enable the fabrication of optical nanosensors capable of sticking on uneven surfaces and biological surfaces like human skin.

RUB engineers have developed a new concept for accelerating data transfer in server farms. To this end, the team at the Chair of Photonics and Terahertz Technology applies a quantum-mechanical variable, i.e. the spin. RUBIN, the science magazine published by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, reports on how researchers optimise so-called spin lasers for data transfer.

As their name would indicate, spatial light modulators modulate light according to a fixed pixel, or spatial, pattern. Meadowlark Optics manufactures and sells three different variations of these modulators to address a variety of photonics-based applications.

The 621 Series Laser Wavelength Meter is the best way to measure the absolute wavelength of CW lasers that operate from the visible to the mid-IR. This system provides real-time laser wavelength information with an accuracy as high as ± 0.0001 nm. Continuous calibration with a built-in wavelength standard ensures the reliable accuracy that is needed to generate the most meaningful experimental results.

The new AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC spectrometer enhances the Avantes NIRline family. Thanks to its new 100mm Symmetrical Czerny Turner design, the AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC takes performance to a new level, especially in the region from 2-2.5 µm where every photon counts. The enclosed lab version of this spectrometer is 50% smaller and 35% lighter than its predecessor and the unhoused OEM configuration is nearly 30% smaller and lighter. The dual-stage cooling of the AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC has improved signal to noise and dynamic range specifications for better performance in difficult applications like diffuse reflectance.

Mad City Labs’ MMP series of positioners have a 25mm range of motion and are available in 1, 2, or 3-axis configurations. They feature optical encoders with 50nm resolution, proprietary intelligent control for stability, nanopositioner compatibility, and high native precision and accuracy.

FEATURED VIDEOS

In this video, one of Zygo’s applications engineers provides a demonstration of the ZeGageTM 3D optical surface profiler as it measures the roughness of the surface of a sealing valve used in the automotive industry. That might sounds fairly unremarkable, but check out how the system does on a rickety plastic table in a machine shop full of noise and vibration.

How difficult is it to measure the temperature of a moving golf ball? Would it be better to use a thermal camera, or a photon camera? It’s certain that there are more critical-type measurements one can make outside of golf ball temperature, but this video does a great job of showing the different results that each camera type yields from a qualitative analysis standpoint.

In the final installment of our four-part video series with PI from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan introduced us his company’s latest line of Piezo motor stages. He also explained the difference between a Piezo nanopositioner and a Piezo motor positioner, and the impact this difference can have on travel ranges and package size.

In part three of our four-part series with PI from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan showed us a new type of actuator for test and assembly process that call for very highly calibrated, careful, and very repeatable force increments.

Just last year, PI acquired Nelson Air Bearing Proeucts in order to expand on their portofilio of precision motion technologies. In part two of a four part video series taken from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan spoke with us about these air bearing stage offerings and the extremely smooth and long travel motions they provide.

PHOTONICS ONLINE SPECIAL FEATURE

FLIR is proud to be releasing our high performance cooled A-Series product family with detectors in every waveband. These cutting-edge FLIR Research and Science Thermal Imaging Cameras set a new standard for price and performance. See for yourself and check out the new, affordable NIR, MWIR HD, and LWIR SLS thermal imagers at FLIR booth #1130.

Perhaps most famously portrayed in Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers (1959), the idea of the “future soldier” has been around for decades. As rehashed in countless science fiction films and video games, the stereotypical future soldier is equipped with a protective exoskeleton, enhanced sensory equipment, seamless communication systems, and advanced weaponry. While the concept once seemed implausible, there are many real-world projects under way focused on realizing those seemingly fictitious warfighter capabilities — by integrating a plethora of diverse electronic subsystems into a cohesively operational suit.

With more than 450 companies at this year’s event and only three days to explore, it was an almost overwhelming task to try and take in all of the technology on display. Regardless, I did my best, and here is my list of the top five most exciting technologies I caught at the show.

ELECTRONIC MILITARY & DEFENSE MAGAZINE

Electronic Military & Defense was developed as a resource for engineers, program managers, project managers, and other professionals involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for a wide range of defense and aerospace applications. Check out the digital edition of our latest issue for exclusive editorial on wearable antennas for military applications, countering EMI threats, biological and chemical threat detection, advances in optical sensing, and more.

PRODUCT SHOWCASE

Hamamatsu's new X-ray TDI (time delay integration) camera offers high speed speed scanning for X-ray inspection of electronic, pharmaceutical, food, and other products where high sensitivity and high resolution are required.

The GM-1000 series of digital encoder galvano scanners is comprised of four different models with variations in beam diameter, scan angles, small step response, and resolution. Each model has a compact physical profile, super low thermal drift, and extreme high resolution, precision, and accuracy.

LEADING SUPPLIERS

Image Science was formed in 1991 and specialises in the design and manufacture lens testing systems for both Research & Development and production applications. We concentrate on providing the best combination of accuracy, speed of measurement, and ease of use.

Proto Labs, Inc., through its Firstcut and Protomold services, utilizes proprietary computing technologies and automated manufacturing systems to provide prototype parts and short-run production services. All parts are made by standard production methods, delivered at affordable prices, and can be delivered in as fast as one day.

BRISTOL INSTRUMENTS, INC., located near Rochester, NY, was founded in January, 2005, by three technical and marketing leaders of the now-defunct Burleigh Instruments. Together, this group has almost 60 years of combined experience in the design, manufacture, and marketing of lasers and precision test instruments used in basic and applied research, engineering, and production test applications.

PD-LD is a manufacturer of customized laser products, headquartered in Pennington, New Jersey, USA. Since 1993, PD-LD, Inc. has been leveraging top-notch technical and manufacturing capabilities to create active and passive laser products that are high-quality, cost-effective, tailored to customers’ needs, and delivered in a timely fashion.

Telops specializes in the design and production of sophisticated opto-electronic systems for the defense, aerospace and telecommunications industries. A reliable source of accelerated innovation inoptronics, the experienced engineering team thrives on high expectations and great challenges.

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TECHNICAL ARTICLES

As photonic and electronic devices began to converge, bandwidth, efficiency, and functionality improved significantly. On the flip side, testing and packaging these silicon photonic (SiP) devices has proven to be a challenge. Testing conventional microcircuits can be done through physical contact, conventional positioning control devices, and visual inspection. On the other hand, photonic devices require non-contact and nanoscale alignment between the hybrid device under test and a probe fiber or other element. And we haven’t even begun discussing the complications involved in packaging such devices.

Dr. Fred Goldstein in his 16 February 2004 Film Star News had the following comment:

"...it appears that the current consensus on ‘FTIR vs. Grating IR' is that FTIR instruments are unsuitable for optical measurements. If you disagree, or have evidence to the contrary, we'd like to hear."

Having been associated with FTIR since 1957, I felt compelled to respond to that comment. In general, I have to agree that the application of FTIR can lead to results that are prone to photometric errors. However, there are things that can be done to overcome the limitations of FTIR for optical measurements.

There is a good reason construction workers are asked to wear hard hats, gloves, safety goggles, and various other safety equipment while on the job; construction sites are dangerous. Filled with heavy and sharp objects, platforms of varying heights, flying sparks and debris, and a number of other potentially dangerous elements, it’s no wonder so many injuries occur on construction sites.

Raytheon Company (NYSE:RTN) delivered a second Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) instrument to support the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Joint Polar Satellite System mission.

With the United Nations having declared 2015 the “International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies,” the opening of the BMBF’s new “Digital Photonic Production (DPP)” research campus at the end of January was perfectly timed. Located on the RWTH Aachen Campus, the DPP research campus is destined to become well known as the home to a new kind of collaboration between science and industry.

Scientists in Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow have revealed a unique molecular fragment Ni2O2, consisting of two nickel atoms and two oxygen atoms, that have shown plausible superatomic properties. Supeatoms are important structural elements in nanoscale organization and they possess unique physical and chemical properties.

‘Critical raw materials’ are crucial to many European industries but they are vulnerable to scarcity and supply disruption. As such, it is vital that Europe develops strategies for meeting the demand for raw materials.

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